Warmer Weather Good News for Snook!
LAST UPDATED: 14 January 2010

As the cold weather has gripped most of the country, even sunny, subtropical Sanibel Island experienced record low temperatures. Local fish suffered major losses due to unusually cold water. Schools of Snook found refuge in many of the warmer canals and waterways. Shocked by the extreme cold, fish seemed to be in a catatonic state as they swam in what appeared to be slow motion. In this state, the fish will eventually starve to death.

Luckily temperatures are warming back to normal for the month of January which is great news for all the island wildlife!

Fun Fact: There are 5 species of Snook in Florida, and the most prevalent is the Common Snook, also known as robalo, linesiders, or sergeant fish. The are very sensitive to temperature changes and a fast moving cold front can and has claimed many fish. The are also hermaphrodites and change sex from male to female, and researches hope to find why and what triggers this change. Snook hide in wait behind underwater structures to ambush their prey. The record catch by rod and reel is 44 lb, 3 oz Snook landed in 1984 by Robert De Cosmo in Fort Myers, Florida. It is illegal to buy or sell snook.

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